Probable Warfarin–Simvastatin Interaction

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1292-1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tone Westergren ◽  
Peder Johansson ◽  
Espen Molden

Objective: To report and discuss a case of fatal cerebral hemorrhage following a switch from atorvastatin to simvastatin in a patient taking warfarin. Case Summary: An 82-year-old white female was admitted to the hospital because of an international normalized ratio (INR) value greater than 8, which was detected at a routine follow-up visit to monitor warfarin therapy. Four weeks earlier her lipid-lowering therapy had been switched from atorvastatin 10 mg daily to simvastatin 10 mg daily. She had been treated with 2.5 mg of warfarin daily for almost 30 years due to episodes of deep venous thrombosis and lung embolism. Her INR had been stable within the treatment range (2.0–3.5) for more than 2 years before the INR increase. Upon hospitalization, she was given 5 mg of vitamin K orally, A few hours later she lost the feeling and movement of her right arm and a computed tomography scan showed major bleeding in the left cerebral hemisphere. She died the following day. Discussion: One study has shown a lack of interaction between warfarin and atorvastatin. In comparison, 3 studies have shown significant increases (10–30%) in warfarin effect and/or reductions in dose requirement after starling concomitant simvastatin treatment. The interaction mechanism between simvastatin and warfarin is not known but is possibly associated with reduced elimination of warfarin. Use of the Naranjo probability scale showed that the likelihood of warfarin-induced INR increase following the switch to simvastatin was probable. Conclusions: Atorvastatin and simvastatin appear to differ in their potential to interact with warfarin. Clinicians should be aware of the interaction risk when starting simvastatin treatment in patients on warfarin therapy.

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Marat V. Ezhov ◽  
Narek A. Tmoyan ◽  
Olga I. Afanasieva ◽  
Marina I. Afanasieva ◽  
Sergei N. Pokrovsky

Background: Despite high-intensity lipid-lowering therapy, there is a residual risk of cardiovascular events that could be associated with lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)). It has been shown that there is an association between elevated Lp(a) level and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary heart disease. Data about the role of Lp(a) in the development of cardiovascular events after peripheral revascularization are scarce. Purpose: To evaluate the relationship of Lp(a) level with cardiovascular outcomes after revascularization of carotid and lower limbs arteries. Methods: The study included 258 patients (209 men, mean age 67 years) with severe carotid and/or lower extremity artery disease, who underwent successful elective peripheral revascularization. The primary endpoint was the composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. The secondary endpoint was the composite of primary endpoint and repeated revascularization. Results: For 36-month follow-up, 29 (11%) primary and 128 (50%) secondary endpoints were registered. There was a greater risk of primary (21 (8%) vs. 8 (3%); hazard ratio (HR), 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–6.3; p < 0.01) and secondary endpoints (83 (32%) vs. 45 (17%), HR, 2.8; 95% CI 2.0–4.0; p < 0.01) in patients with elevated Lp(a) level (≥30 mg/dL) compared to patients with Lp(a) < 30 mg/dL. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analysis revealed that Lp(a) was independently associated with the incidence of cardiovascular outcomes. Conclusions: Patients with peripheral artery diseases have a high risk of cardiovascular events. Lp(a) level above 30 mg/dL is significantly and independently associated with cardiovascular events during 3-year follow-up after revascularization of carotid and lower limbs arteries.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joost Besseling ◽  
Gerard K Hovingh ◽  
John J Kastelein ◽  
Barbara A Hutten

Introduction: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH) is characterized by high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased risk for premature coronary artery disease (CAD) and death. Reduction of CAD and mortality by statins has not been properly quantified in heFH. The aim of the current study is to determine the effect of statins on CAD and mortality in heFH. Methods: All adult heFH patients identified by the Dutch FH screening program between 1994 and 2014 and registered in the PHARMO Database Network were eligible. Of these patients we obtained hospital, pharmacy (in- and outpatient), and mortality records in the period between 1995 and 2015. The effect of statins (time-varying) on CAD and all-cause mortality was determined using a Cox proportional hazard model, while correcting for the use of other lipid-lowering therapy, thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors, antihypertensive and antidiabetic medication (all time-varying). Furthermore, we used inverse probability for treatment weighting (IPTW) to account for differences between statin-treated and untreated patients regarding history of CAD before follow-up, age at start of follow-up and age of screening, as well as body mass index, LDL-C and triglycerides. Results: Of the 25,479 identified heFH patients, 11,021 gave informed consent to obtain their medical records, of whom 2,447 could be retrieved. We excluded 766 patients younger than 18. The remaining 1,681 heFH patients comprised our study population and these had very similar characteristics as compared to the 23,798 excluded FH patients, e.g. mean (SD) LDL-C levels were 214 (74) vs. 203 (77) mg/dL. Among 1,151 statin users, there were 133 CAD events and 15 deaths during 10,115 statin treated person-years, compared to 17 CAD events and 9 deaths during 4,965 person-years in 530 never statin users (combined rate: 14.6 vs. 5.2, respectively, p<0.001). After applying IPTW to account for indication bias and correcting for use of other medications, the hazard ratio of statin use for CAD and all-cause mortality was 0.61 (0.40 - 0.93). Conclusions: In heFH patients, statins lower the risk for CAD and mortality by 39%.


Author(s):  
Dmitry Blumenkrants ◽  
Saifullah M Siddiqui ◽  
Karthik Challa ◽  
Amit Ladani ◽  
Adhir Shroff

Background: Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represent a high-risk cohort for cardiovascular events. Lipid lowering therapy is an established core measure of secondary prevention in coronary artery disease management. The NCEP-ATPIII advises a minimum LDL level < 100 mg/dL in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, further research suggests that an LDL < 70 is more desirable in this population to further reduce adverse CHD endpoints. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational study on all patients undergoing PCI at an urban Veterans Hospital from September 2004 to December 2011. Statin use and lipid profiles at 6 months post-PCI were compared to pre-PCI values. Results: A total of 1052 unique patients had PCI during the study period. Approximately 70% of patients were on statins at baseline, which improved to 88% at 6 months post-PCI (p < 0.0001). LDL levels improved significantly when compared to pre-PCI levels, from a mean of 97.2 to 85.1 (p < 0.0001). With regards to NCEP-ATPIII guidelines, the proportion of the study population that met minimum LDL goals (<100) post-PCI increased from 59% to 76% (p < 0.0001). The percentage of patients meeting ideal goals for LDL (<70) increased from 23% to 33% (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In patients who have undergone PCI, there was significant improvement in LDL levels. At six months, there was an increase in usage of statin therapy. Furthermore there was a statistically significant increase in adherence to NCEP-ATIII guidelines at both the minimum and ideal LDL levels on follow-up after PCI.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelle Gadowski ◽  
Natalie Nanayakkara ◽  
Stephane Heritier ◽  
Dianna Magliano ◽  
Jonathan Shaw ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) is ideally accompanied by dietary guidance for cardiovascular risk reduction, however current evidence suggests sub optimal dietary behaviours in those on pharmacological interventions. This study examines associations between daily intake of major food groups (vegetable, fruit, cereal, protein and dairy) and LLT use in Australian adults. Methods Data were analysed from 5895 participants of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab) aged ≥ 25 years. Medical history and dietary intake was obtained at baseline (1999–00) and follow up (2004–05). LLT use was categorised as: LLT users, commenced LLT, ceased LLT, and non-users. The association between dietary intake and LLT use was examined using quantile regression, at the 25th, 50th and 75th quantile of dietary intake. Analysis was adjusted for known risk factors. Results A total of 446 participants remained on LLT from baseline to follow up; 565 participants commenced LLT; 71 participants ceased LLT and 4813 were non-users. Less than 1% of the cohort met recommended intakes of all food groups at baseline and follow up, with no difference by LLT status. Median daily dietary intake at follow up among LLT users was 2.2 serves of vegetables, 1.4 serves of fruit, 2.8 serves of cereal, 2.0 serves of protein and 1.4 serves of dairy. Dietary intake was similar across all LLT groups. LLT use was not significantly associated with dietary intake at the 25th, 50th and 75th quantile. Conclusions Adjusted quantile regression analysis showed no differences in median daily intake of key food groups in LLT users, compared to non-users. The dietary behaviours observed suggest that all adults, regardless of their medication regimen, need additional education on improving their dietary intake. These findings emphasise the importance of addressing adherence to dietary guidelines, for people with chronic disease, with special focus on people requiring LLT. Funding Sources Nil Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Schubert ◽  
B Lindahl ◽  
H Melhus ◽  
H Renlund ◽  
M Leosdottir ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In clinical trials, patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and elevated LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) benefit the most from lipid lowering therapy, and more intensive LDL-C lowering therapy is associated with better prognosis. Purpose To investigate the association between degree of LDL-C lowering and prognosis in MI patients from a large real-world setting. Methods Patients admitted with an MI between 2006 and 2016 and registered in the Swedish MI-registry (SWEDEHEART) were followed until 2018. The difference in LDL-C between the MI hospitalization and a 6–10 week follow-up was measured. In multivariable Cox regression analysis adjusting for clinical risk factors (eg. age, diabetes, prior cardiovascular disease), the association between LDL-C change, mortality and recurrent MI was assessed using restricted cubic splines. Further, the patients were stratified according to quartile decrease in LDL-C from MI hospitalization to the follow-up. Results A total of 44,148 patients (median age: 64) had an LDL-C measured during the MI hospitalization and at follow-up. Of these, 9,905 (22.4%) had ongoing statin treatment prior to admission. The median LDL-C at the MI hospitalization was 2.96 (interquartile range 2.23, 3.74) mmol/L and the median decrease in LDL-C was 1.17 (0.37, 1.86) mmol/L. During a median follow-up of 3.9 years, 3,342 patients died and 3,210 had an MI. Patients with the highest quartile of LDL-C decrease (1.86 mmol/L) from index event to follow-up, had a lower risk of mortality, hazard ratio (HR) 0.59 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44–0.80) compared to those with the lowest quartile of LDL-C decrease (0.37 mmol/L) (figure). For MI, the corresponding HR was 0.83 (95% CI 0.68–1.02). Ongoing statin-use prior to admission did not alter the effect of LDL-C decrease and outcome in the analysis. Conclusions In this large nationwide cohort of MI patients, a gradually lower risk of death was observed in patients with larger decrease in LDL-C from index event to follow-up, regardless of statin use prior to admission. The same trend was observed for recurrent MI, although not reaching statistical significance. This confirms previous findings that efforts should be made to lower LDL-C after MI.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. CMC.S11488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvin W Chin ◽  
F Gao ◽  
TT Le ◽  
RS Tan

Lipid goal attainment studies in Asian patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are limited. The objectives of this study were to determine low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal attainment rate at 4 months, and to examine prescription behavior influencing lipid goal attainment in Asian patients with ACS. A retrospective analysis of 267 patients with ACS was performed. The mean follow-up duration was 41.2 ± 10.7 months. LDL-C goal attainment rate was highest at 4 months (36.7%) but declined progressively throughout follow-up. More than 85% of patients were discharged with equipotent statin dose of 2 (equivalent to simvastatin 20 mg) or less. In patients who did not attain LDL-C goals, the statin dose remained low throughout follow-up because of a lack in responsive dose titration. Aggressive lipid-lowering therapy should be initiated early to improve goal attainment in these high-risk patients.


Author(s):  
Atsushi Yonemura ◽  
Yukihiko Momiyama ◽  
Zahi A. Fayad ◽  
Makoto Ayaori ◽  
Reiko Ohmori ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 01-06
Author(s):  
Anatoly Langer

Background: We compared the use of lipid lowering therapy, low density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, and proportion achieving guideline-recommended LDL-C levels in patients with private vs. public insurance coverage for their lipid lowering treatment. Materials and Methods: Guidelines Oriented Approach to Lipid lowering (GOAL) Canada enrolled 2009 patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and an LDL-C above the guideline-recommended target of <2.0 mmol/L despite maximally tolerated statin therapy. During two follow-up visits physicians received online reminders of treatment recommendations. Results: Of 2009 patients enrolled (median age 63 years, 42% female), there were 1284 (64%) patients with private and 725 (36%) with public insurance for lipid lowering therapy. Patients with private insurance were younger and less likely to have a history of heart failure or to be on bile acid sequestrants. There was no difference between the groups in their lipid levels or lipid lowering therapy at baseline. During the follow up, there was no difference in the use of ezetimibe; however, the use of PCSK9i was more frequent in patients with private insurance (31.7 % vs. 21%, p<0.0001), the mean LDL-C level was slightly lower (2.11±1.17 vs. 2.31±1.17 mmol/L, p = 0.001), and the proportion of patients achieving the guideline-recommended LDL-C level was greater (54% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.001). After adjustment for other factors in a multivariable model, private insurance was not a significant predictor of achieving the guideline-recommended LDL-C level in a multivariable model. Conclusion: While PCSK9i use was higher in patients with private insurance, the majority of patients with either private or public insurance experienced similar treatment inertia. The cost of non-generic medications does not appear to be the dominant reason for the continued care gap in lipid lowering of high-risk patients.


2022 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Peng ◽  
Ming-Ming Liu ◽  
Jing-Lu Jin ◽  
Ye-Xuan Cao ◽  
Yuan-Lin Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The risk of liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be easily evaluated by noninvasive scoring systems, of which the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) is the most commonly used. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a new predictor of cardiovascular events, has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular outcomes and NAFLD. However, the relationship of NFS with PCSK9 and their prognostic abilities in cardiovascular risks are unknown. Methods A total of 2008 hospitalized subjects who had chest pain without lipid-lowering therapy were consecutively included. Baseline clinical data were collected, and the NFS was calculated. The circulating PCSK9 concentration was determined by enzyme immunoassay. The major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) occurrences were recorded in the follow-up period. Associations of PCSK9 concentration with NFS were examined. All of the participants were categorized into three groups according to NFS levels and were further stratified by PCSK9 tertiles to evaluate the MACEs. Results 158 (7.87%) MACEs were observed during a mean of 3.2 years of follow-up. NFS levels were independently related to higher PCSK9 levels according to multivariable linear regression analysis. Furthermore, elevated PCSK9 and NFS concentrations were respectively associated with increased MACE incidence in multivariable Cox regression models. When combining NFS status with PCSK9 tertiles as a stratifying factor, patients with intermediate-high NFS and high PCSK9 levels had higher risks of events than those with low NFS and low PCSK9 levels. Conclusions This study revealed for the first time that NFS is positively related to PCSK9 and that the combination of NFS and PCSK9 greatly increased the risk of MACEs in patients with chest pain, providing a potential link between NFS and PCSK9 for predicting cardiovascular events.


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